For Nigerians who are thinking of becoming copywriters, the question about Copywriter salary in Nigeria always comes into mind, it is important to look at the salary situation to shape their decisions on this career path.
In the fast-evolving world of digital marketing, copywriters have an important responsibility, which is developing appealing content for various target groups.
Nigeria, being a rapidly growing economy with a booming digital sector, offers various opportunities for copywriters. But what does it take to be a copywriter in Nigeria, and more importantly, how much can you expect to earn?
In this post, we will look at the current state of copywriter salaries, exploring trends, statistics, and insights to provide a comprehensive understanding.
Also See: Big Data Engineer Salaries in Nigeria 2024
The Role of a Copywriter
Before tackling details about Copywriter salary in Nigeria, let’s address the question of what a copywriter does.
A copywriter is engaged in a range of activities where the primary goal is creating promotional and advertising materials such as websites, newsletters, advertisements, and social media content. Their objective is to stimulate some form of action, be it buying something, registering for an email newsletter, or any other interaction with the brand.
Average Salary of Copywriters in Nigeria
According to data obtained from Glassdoor in 2024, the average monthly salary for a copywriter in Nigeria ranges between ₦106,000 to ₦525,000.
However, salaries can vary based on experience, industry, and location.
Average Salary of Copywriters by Experience Level
- Entry-Level Copywriters: Fresh graduates or those with 0-2 years of experience can expect to earn between ₦80,000 and ₦150,000 monthly.
- Mid-Level Copywriters: With 3-5 years of experience, the salary jumps to ₦150,000 to ₦250,000 per month.
- Senior Copywriters: Those with over 5 years of experience or expertise in niche industries can earn upwards from ₦300,000 per month, with some professionals earning as high as ₦500,000.
The variation in salary is also influenced by the type of employer. For instance, copywriters working in multinational corporations or top advertising agencies tend to earn more than those in small businesses or startups.
Regional Differences in Copywriter Salary
Region plays an equally important role in Nigerian copywriters’ salaries. Metropolises generally command higher salaries than rural areas due to high concentrations of business enterprises.
Lagos: Lagos, which is the business center of Nigeria, pays the most for copywriters.
Copywriters in Lagos according to data from Glassdoor make an average of ₦106,000 to ₦ 538,000 per month.
Abuja: Copywriters in the capital city, Abuja, earn slightly less, with an average salary of around ₦150,000 to ₦350,000 per month.
Port Harcourt: Copywriters in Port Harcourt also enjoy competitive salaries, with the average being around ₦150,000 per month.
Smaller cities and towns generally offer lower salaries, with some regions offering as low as ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 per month for copywriters.
Freelance vs. In-house Copywriters: Salary Comparison
While freelance copywriting has its advantages in terms of scheduling, income is not as steady.
Freelance copywriters get a chance to determine their fees that best suit the task at hand, which, however, becomes a problem since there is no guaranteed monthly salary.
Freelance Copywriters:
Depending on the client and market, the rates for freelance copywriters in Nigeria are between N50,000 to about N500,000, considering the extent of work given for a month.
Per Payoneer’s 2023 Global Freelancer Income Report, freelancers including copywriters in Nigeria tend to earn more or less than 150,000. Those working as freelancers for international clients make better earnings with heavyweights such as the UK, US, and Canadian clients.
In-house Copywriters:
On the other hand, in-house copywriters enjoy the perspective of earning a salary every month without a doubt, but may not have the earning potential that freelancers do.
As discussed in the previous sections, the salary paid to in-house copywriters varies from N100,000 to N300,000 every month.
The option of choosing to be a freelance writer or in-house copywriter is more dependent on how an individual weighs the two factors of flexibility and security of a job.
Copywriter Salary Comparison by Industry
The income varies for copywriters across different industries in Nigeria. Below are some industry-specific insights.
Advertising and Marketing Agencies:
A copywriter who works in the Advertising and Marketing establishments should expect a salary that ranges from ₦150,000 to ₦400,000 per month while the top level copywriters may earn even more
E-commerce:
The rapid growth of the e-commerce industry in Nigeria has created a niche for professionals who can write product descriptions, which enhance e-commerce and email marketing.
The ranges within this sector are between ₦120,000 to about ₦250,000 monthly.
Technology:
Copywriter salaries in the technology sector are also lucrative.
Copywriters who specialize in technology content earn up to ₦200,000 to about ₦450,000 in a month.
Such writers write technical documents, white papers, and case studies.
Finance:
Copywriters in finance can earn anything between 150k and 350k Naira for writing such content as reports, financial advice articles, brochures, and pamphlets detailing investment ideas and banking services offered by financial institutions.
Copywriting Skills and Certifications That Impact Salary
Copywriters with specific skills usually earn more. Below are skills that can maximize a copywriter’s earning potential:
- SEO Copywriting: A good knowledge of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) can raise a copywriter’s earning potential considerably. Companies need SEO copywriters, which makes this profession very highly paid.
- Content Marketing: Copywriters who possess content marketing abilities can earn between ₦200,000 and ₦500,000 within a month. They are responsible for content generation, content plans, and lead content creation for blogs.
- Technical Writing: Copywriters who can prepare any content that is technical in nature, like product guides or software guides, attract better pay, especially in the technology sector.
These certifications will also help improve the earnings of a copywriter. Some of these include Google Analytics, HubSpot Content Marketing, Certification, and SEO general certification.
Challenges Faced By Copywriters and Recommendations
- Limited training opportunities: Invest in workshops, online courses, and conferences to enhance skills.
- Competition: Develop a unique value proposition and niche expertise to stand out.
- Low entry-level salaries: Consider internships or volunteer work to gain experience and build a portfolio.
Growth Opportunities and Future Prospects
- Content marketing: The continuous growth of the digital sphere in Nigeria presents opportunities for copywriters to focus on content marketing, social media, and UX writing in particular.
- E-commerce boom: Rising e-commerce in Nigeria creates opportunities for copywriters to create product descriptions and promotional texts.
- Freelancing: Copywriting has been made possible due to the gig economy, allowing eligible freelance copywriters to work with other countries while earning more.
Conclusion
The copywriter salary in Nigeria is diverse and influenced by various factors such as location, experience, and type of employment.
As the demand for skilled copywriters continues to grow, professionals need to develop niche expertise, build strong portfolios, and stay adaptable in a rapidly evolving industry.
Please note that:
- The salary figures provided in this section are obtained from employers’ job postings and other sources of information.
- Some of the salaries expressed above are projections and pay rates for actual positions may differ from them due to such factors as the area of work, the company size, the job description, and the experience or education of the person.